Just putting this BPL PSA out there to anyone who may be in the southern NM area or is perhaps looking for a Memorial Day destination to get their feet dirty, jump start their tan, and shake the dust off their tarps.

Heading out into the Gila Wilderness for an estimated 3-4 days depending on the feedback and input from the individuals wishing to join. Trip details haven't been established yet but we're looking to hit a few key areas of the Gila Wilderness in a loop fashion, possibilities for fishing, hot-springs, bagging a peak in the Mogollon Range, and beautiful canyon hiking along the forks of the Gila River are all highlights to sweeten the deal in arguably the best season of the Gila. Only goals of the trip are to get to know some new faces in a unique environment, edify one another and perhaps share acquired UL techniques, and challenge ourselves as a group.

Trip Mileage: appx. 40-60 miles (15-20 per day)... of course this could very well change, the trip will mostly be on trail, will be challenging, but rewarding.

Possible Dates: May 27-30 or May 30-2... leaning towards the latter

So far there are 2 other individuals from BPL joining us, let's get some more!

If interested or have questions shoot me a PM or email: imeugeneius @ hotmail dot com

*I'm not serving as a guide since I'm not a guide, this is a mutual trip where feedback on all details of the trip are welcome and encouraged.

I will look into attending over the actual Memorial Day weekend - flying back from the Pacific/West Coast on evening of May 27th and starting work again June 2. I was thinking about soloing at my usual Pecos trip near Santa Fe that weekend, but Gila can work too.

*Update- currently the Gila is under a Stage 1 Fire Restriction, here's the latest, so far no park closures, but they're wisely restricting fire use due to carelessness of individuals:

Yellow Fire Update - Wednesday, April 20, 2011 @ 1:00 p.m.

Release Date: Apr 20, 2011

Contact(s): Wilderness Ranger District 575-536-2250

Yellow Fire Update - Wednesday, April 20, 2011 @ 1:00 p.m.

Wilderness Ranger District (575) 536-2250

Yellow Fire: Detected4/18/2011 in the Gila Wilderness,and located 7 miles northwest of the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. The fire is approximately 115 acres in size with zero percent containment.

Resources assigned: 49 firefighting personnel are currently working to suppress the Yellow Fire at this time including 2 hotshot crews. 2 Helicopters are also being utilized for supplies and reconnaissance flights.

Fire behavior: The Yellow Fire continues to creep and smolder in grass and timber litter and is burning at a low intensity on both sides of the Middle fork of the Gila River and still with the most potential to burn to the south.

Cause of the fire is human and is under investigation.

Fire and Smoking Restrictions:

The Gila National Forest is currently at Stage 1 Fire Restrictions.

Stage 1 Restrictions:

Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove, except within a developed recreation site, or improved site.

The use of petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns or heating devices providing such devices meet the fire underwriter's specifications for safety is allowed.

Persons using Forest Service designated campgrounds and/or picnic areas may have a campfire within a pre-constructed Forest Service fireplace of fire ring.

Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material

For more information about current fire activity on the Gila National Forest, contact the public information officer at 575-533-6231 (Reserve) or (575) 536-2250 (Mimbres) or visit the website at http://fs.usda.gov/gila.

Here's another plot of the route that is easier to navigate. Switch the upper right hand menu from "Terrain" to "MyTopo" for a better map. I marked a few points of interest that where on my Garmin topo maps. I'll try to add a few more mile markers when I get more time.

I would love to do somthing in the southwest with you but It would have to be in june. I do believe nm is pretty much on shutdown because of fire but let me know if your intrested in making somthing else happen.~Kostas Lazanas